JP6197912B2 - Control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present specification discloses a control apparatus for an image output apparatus that outputs an image.

  For example, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the MFP refers to the extension of the file name of the received attached file to determine whether the attached file has a format printable by the MFP. When the attached file does not have a format printable by the MFP, the MFP causes the server to convert the attached file.

JP 2003-216390 A

  In the above technique, the MFP refers to only the extension of the file name of the attached file, and determines whether or not the attached file has a format printable by the MFP. However, even if only the extension of the file name of the attached file is referred to, there is a possibility that an appropriate determination cannot be performed.

  The present specification provides a technique that can appropriately determine whether or not specific data has a format that can be interpreted by the image output apparatus.

  The present specification discloses a control apparatus for an image output apparatus that outputs an image. The control device includes a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, a determination unit, a conversion process execution unit, and an output process execution unit. The first acquisition unit acquires specific server identification information for identifying a specific data storage server when a specific data storage server is selected by the user from the plurality of data storage servers. When the specific server identification information is acquired, the second acquisition unit obtains specific file type information indicating the file type of the specific data stored in the specific data storage server from the specific data storage server. get. The determination unit determines whether the specific data has a format that can be interpreted by the image output device based on the specific server identification information and the specific file type information. The conversion processing execution unit causes a specific conversion server to perform data conversion from specific data to post-conversion data when it is determined that the specific data does not have a format that can be interpreted by the image output device. Execute the conversion process. The converted data has a format that can be interpreted by the image output apparatus. The output processing execution unit, when it is determined that the specific data has a format that can be interpreted by the image output device, the specific image represented by the specific data without causing the specific conversion server to execute the data conversion Is output for causing the image output apparatus to output the image.

  According to the above configuration, the control device determines whether or not the specific data has a format that can be interpreted by the image output device based on the specific server identification information and the specific file type information. That is, the control device uses not only specific file type information but also specific server identification information as information for determining whether data conversion is necessary. Therefore, the control device can appropriately determine whether or not data conversion is necessary. For this reason, the control device can appropriately execute processing (that is, conversion processing or output processing) according to the determination result.

  The image output apparatus may include a display unit that displays an image and a printing unit that executes printing of the image. The determination unit further interprets the specific data by the image output device based on whether the specific data is data to be displayed by the display unit or whether the specific data is data to be printed by the printing unit. It may be determined whether it has a possible format. In this configuration, the control device further prints the specific data output method (that is, the data to be displayed by the display unit or the print unit as information for determining whether data conversion is necessary). Data). Therefore, the control device can more appropriately determine whether data conversion is necessary.

  The control device may be a control server that is communicably connected to the image output device via a network. The conversion process execution unit may execute the conversion process including transmitting the specific position information indicating the position of the specific conversion server on the network to the image output apparatus. In this configuration, when the control device executes the conversion process, the image output device can cause the specific conversion server to appropriately execute the data conversion using the specific position information.

  The conversion processing execution unit obtains specific data from a specific data storage server by a specific conversion server without using an image output device, and converts the acquired specific data into converted data. You may perform the process for conversion so that it may perform. In this configuration, if the control device executes the conversion process, the data conversion can be appropriately executed.

  The conversion process execution unit may execute the conversion process so that the image output apparatus acquires specific data from a specific data storage server and supplies the specific data to the conversion server. In this configuration, if the control device executes the conversion process, the data conversion can be appropriately executed.

  The control device may be a control server that is communicably connected to the image output device via a network. The conversion process execution unit may execute a conversion process including transmitting method-related information to the image output apparatus. The method-related information includes a first method in which a specific conversion server acquires specific data from a specific data storage server without going through the image output device, and an image output device specifies a specific data from a specific data storage server. It may be information related to one of the second method of acquiring data and supplying specific data to the conversion server. In this configuration, when the control device executes the conversion process, the image output device can cause the specific conversion server to appropriately execute the data conversion using the method related information.

  The control device may be a control server that is communicably connected to the image output device via a network. The image output apparatus may store a position information table in which a file type and position information indicating a position on a network of a conversion server that performs conversion of data having the file type are associated with each other. The conversion processing execution unit is configured to cause the image output apparatus to execute data conversion on a specific conversion server using specific position information associated with specific file type information in the position information table. You may perform the process for conversion including transmitting the information which shows that conversion is required, and specific file type information to an image output device. In this configuration, when the control device executes the conversion process, the image output device can cause the specific conversion server to appropriately execute the data conversion using the specific position information.

The control device may further include a memory that stores a format relationship information table in which server identification information, a file type, and format relationship information are associated with each other. The format relationship information may be information related to whether or not the data having the file type stored in the data storage server identified by the server identification information has a format that can be interpreted by the image output apparatus. The determining unit refers to the format relationship information table based on the specific server identification information and the specific file type information, and determines whether the specific data has a format that can be interpreted by the image output device. May be. In this configuration, the control device can appropriately determine whether data conversion is necessary with reference to the format relationship information table.

  A control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program for realizing the control device are also novel and useful.

1 shows a configuration of a communication system. An example of an internal format table is shown. An example of a conversion necessity table is shown. An example of a URL table is shown. The sequence diagram of case A which does not require data conversion is shown. The sequence diagram of case B which requires data conversion is shown. The sequence diagram of case C which needs data conversion is shown. FIG. 6 shows a sequence diagram of a case D where it is impossible to determine whether data conversion is necessary. The sequence diagram of case E of the 2nd example which needs data conversion is shown.

(First embodiment)
(System configuration)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a multi-function device 10, a plurality of data storage servers 40, 42, 44, a mediation server 60, and a plurality of conversion servers 100, 102, 104. Prepare. The multi-function device 10 is connected to the LAN 4. The mediation server 60 and the servers 40 to 44 and 100 to 104 are connected to the Internet 6. Therefore, the mediation server 60 is communicably connected to the multi-function device 10 via the LAN 4 and the Internet 6.

(Configuration of multi-function device 10)
The multi-function device 10 can execute multi-functions such as a print function, a scan function, a copy function, and a FAX function. The multi-function device 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a network interface 16, a printing unit 18, a scanning unit 19, and a control unit 20. The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the multi-function device 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The network interface 16 is connected to the LAN 4. The printing unit 18 includes a printing mechanism such as an inkjet method or a laser method. The scanning unit 19 includes a scanning mechanism such as a CCD or CIS.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU 22 and a memory 24. The CPU 22 executes various processes according to programs stored in the memory 24. The URL table 26 in the memory 24 is used in a second embodiment described later.

(Configuration of data storage servers 40 to 44)
The data storage servers 40 to 44 have server names “SE40”, “SE42”, and “SE44”, respectively. The data storage servers 40 to 44 can store data acquired from a communication device (for example, the multi-function device 10, a PC, etc.) and can provide stored data to the communication device. That is, the data storage servers 40 to 44 can provide a data upload service and a data download service to a communication device. The data storage servers 40 to 44 are not servers provided by the vendor of the multi-function device 10. The data storage servers 40 to 44 are known servers such as “Evernote (registered trademark)”, “Google (registered trademark) Docs”, “PICASA (registered trademark)”, “FACEBOOK (registered trademark)”. Also good.

For example, the data storage server 40 is a server provided by a first business operator, and the data storage server 42 is a server provided by a second business operator different from the first business operator. The first operator publishes a first API (Application Program Interface) for receiving services from the data storage server 40, and the second operator provides services from the data storage server 42. A second API is available for receiving. Usually, the first API and the second API are different. For example, in order to receive a service from each of the data storage servers 40 and 42, the communication device needs to support both the first and second APIs (that is, use the first API). And a program for using the second API are required).

  In order for the multi-function device 10 to receive a service from each of the plurality of data storage servers 40 to 44, the multi-function device 10 needs to support a plurality of APIs, and stores many programs. There is a need to. However, the storage capacity of the memory of the multi-function device 10 is smaller than that of a PC or the like. Therefore, in this embodiment, the multi-function device 10 can receive services from each of the plurality of data storage servers 40 to 44 without storing many programs in the multi-function device 10. A server 60 is provided. That is, the mediation server 60 corresponds to a plurality of APIs for the plurality of data storage servers 40 to 44. In a situation where the multi-function device 10 is to receive a service from a specific data storage server (for example, the data storage server 40) among the plurality of data storage servers 40 to 44, the intermediary server 60 may receive specific data. Using the API for the storage server, various communication described later (for example, communication of each request R4, R6, etc. shown in FIG. 5) is executed with a specific data storage server. As a result, the multi-function device 10 can receive a service from the specific data storage server even if it does not support the API for the specific data storage server.

(Configuration of Mediation Server 60)
The mediation server 60 is a server configured separately from the multi-function device 10 and the data storage servers 40 to 44. The mediation server 60 is a server for mediating provision of data from the data storage servers 40 to 44 to the multi-function device 10. The mediation server 60 is a server provided by the vendor of the multi-function device 10. The mediation server 60 includes a network interface 62 and a control unit 70. The control unit 70 includes a CPU 72 and a memory 74. The CPU 72 executes various processes according to the program stored in the memory 74. The functions of the units 90 to 98 are realized by the CPU 72 executing the process according to the above program. In addition to the above programs, the memory 74 stores an internal format table 76 and a conversion necessity table 78. The contents of the tables 76 and 78 will be described in detail later.

(Configuration of conversion servers 100 to 104)
URLs “J100”, “G102”, and “P104” indicating positions on the Internet 6 are assigned to the conversion servers 100 to 104, respectively. The conversion servers 100 to 104 are servers for converting data having a format that cannot be interpreted by the multi-function device 10 into data having a format that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10. The conversion servers 100 to 104 are servers provided by the vendor of the multi-function device 10.

In this embodiment, the multi-function device 10 can interpret a JPEG file having the internal format “baseline JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)” (that is, display or printing using the file can be executed). A JPEG file having the internal format “progressive JPEG” cannot be interpreted. Progressive JPEG is an internal format that can execute stepwise display from a non-clear image to a clear image as the file download progresses. Note that the baseline JPEG is not a special internal format such as progressive JPEG but a normal internal format. That is, the baseline JPEG is an internal format in which image display cannot be executed unless the file download is completed. The JPEG conversion server 100 is a server for converting a JPEG file having the internal format “progressive JPEG” into a file having a format interpretable by the multi-function device 10 (hereinafter referred to as “target format”). .

  The multi-function device 10 can interpret a GIF file having the internal format “baseline GIF (Graphic Interchange Format)” but cannot interpret a GIF file having the internal format “interlaced GIF”. As with progressive JPEG, interlaced GIF is an internal format that can be displayed in stages from a non-clear image to a clear image as the file download progresses. The baseline GIF has a normal internal format. The GIF conversion server 102 is a server for converting a GIF file having the internal format “interlaced GIF” into a file having the target format.

  Further, the multi-function device 10 cannot interpret the PDF file regardless of the internal format of the PDF file (Portable Document Format). The PDF conversion server 104 is a server for converting a PDF file into a file having the above-described target format.

(Contents of internal format table 76; FIG. 2)
As shown in FIG. 2, the internal format table 76 is a table in which server names, file types, output methods, and file internal formats are associated with each other. The server name indicates the server name “SE40” or the like of the data storage servers 40-42. The file type indicates “JPEG”, “GIF” or the like. The output method indicates a method of outputting a file (that is, whether the file is used for thumbnail display or printing). The file internal format indicates “baseline JPEG”, “progressive JPEG” or the like.

  For example, in the internal format table 76, information on the first line (“SE40”, “JPEG”, “thumbnail display”, “baseline JPEG”) and information on the second line (“SE40”, “JPEG”, “Print”, “Baseline JPEG”) means the following information: In other words, the information on the first and second lines indicates that the data storage server 40 is a JPEG file to be used for thumbnail display when the data storage server 40 should store a JPEG file in response to an upload request from a communication device (in the following, A JPEG file having an internal format “baseline JPEG” is stored as a “display JPEG file”), and a JPEG file to be used for printing (hereinafter referred to as a “print JPEG file”), This means storing a JPEG file having the internal format “baseline JPEG”.

  Similarly, the information on the 3rd and 4th lines is a GIF file (hereinafter referred to as a GIF file) to be used for thumbnail display when the data storage server 40 should store a GIF file in response to an upload request from a communication device. In this case, a GIF file having the internal format “baseline GIF” is stored as a GIF file to be used for printing (hereinafter referred to as a “printing GIF file”). , Which means storing a GIF file having the internal format “baseline GIF”. That is, the data storage server 40 stores JPEG files and GIF files that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10 (that is, JPEG files and GIF files that do not require data conversion).

The information on the 5th to 8th lines is that the data storage server 42 stores the JPEG file having the internal format “progressive JPEG” as the display JPEG file and the print JPEG file, and displays the display GIF file and the print GIF. This means that a GIF file having the internal format “interlaced GIF” is stored as a file. That is, the data storage server 42 stores JPEG files and GIF files that cannot be interpreted by the multi-function device 10 (that is, JPEG files and GIF files that require data conversion).

  The information on the 9th and 10th lines is obtained by the data storage server 44 storing a JPEG file having the internal format “progressive JPEG” as the display JPEG file and the internal format “baseline” as the print JPEG file. This means that a JPEG file having “JPEG” is stored. That is, the data storage server 44 stores both a JPEG file that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10 and a JPEG file that cannot be interpreted by the multi-function device 10. Note that the data storage server 44 cannot store the GIF file. Therefore, the internal format table 76 does not describe GIF file information regarding the data storage server 44.

(Contents of conversion necessity table 78; FIG. 3)
As shown in FIG. 3, the conversion necessity table 78 is a table in which a file internal format, conversion necessity, conversion method, and conversion server URL are associated with each other. The file internal format indicates “baseline JPEG”, “progressive JPEG” or the like. The necessity of conversion indicates the necessity of data conversion. Whether the multi-function device 10 acquires a data conversion target file from the data storage server and supplies it to the conversion server (“data acquisition → conversion instruction”). Indicates whether to obtain the data conversion target file from the data storage server without going through ("conversion instruction"). The conversion server URL indicates the URLs “J100” and “G102” of the conversion servers 100 and 102.

  As described above, the multi-function device 10 can interpret a JPEG file having the internal format “baseline JPEG” and a GIF file having the internal format “baseline GIF”. Therefore, “baseline JPEG” and “baseline GIF” are associated with the necessity of conversion “unnecessary”.

  On the other hand, the multi-function device 10 cannot interpret a JPEG file having the internal format “progressive JPEG”. Accordingly, “progressive JPEG” is associated with conversion necessity “necessary” and conversion server URL “J100”. Note that the JPEG conversion server 100 cannot acquire a JPEG file from the data storage server without going through the multi-function device 10. In other words, when it is necessary to convert JPEG file data, the multi-function device 10 must acquire the JPEG file from the data storage server and supply it to the JPEG conversion server 100. Accordingly, “progressive JPEG” is associated with the conversion method “data acquisition → conversion instruction”.

  Further, the multi-function device 10 cannot interpret a GIF file having the internal format “interlaced GIF”. Therefore, “interlace GIF” is associated with conversion necessity “necessary” and conversion server URL “G102”. The GIF conversion server 102 can acquire the GIF file from the data storage server without using the multi-function device 10. That is, the GIF conversion server 102 not only functions as a GIF file conversion server, but also functions as a GIF file downloader. Therefore, the “interlace GIF” is associated with the conversion method “conversion instruction”.

The vendor of the multi-function device 10 investigates in advance the types and internal formats of files that can be stored in the data storage servers 40 to 44. The vendor generates an internal format table 76 according to the investigation result, and stores the internal format table 76 in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60. Further, the vendor knows in advance the information (that is, the conversion method, URL) related to the conversion servers 100 and 102 provided by the vendor. Therefore, the vendor generates the conversion necessity table 78 based on the information regarding the conversion servers 100 and 102 and stores the conversion necessity table 78 in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60.

  Each of the data storage servers 40 to 44 can further store a PDF file. However, the tables 76 and 78 do not describe information related to the PDF file. As will be described in detail later, the memory 24 of the multi-function device 10 stores in advance a program for causing the PDF conversion server 104 to perform data conversion when a PDF file output (display or printing) is to be executed. Because it is. That is, since it is not necessary for the mediation server 60 to determine whether or not data conversion is necessary for the PDF file, the tables 76 and 78 do not describe information related to the PDF file.

(Case A; FIG. 5)
A user of the multi-function device 10 uses a communication device (for example, the multi-function device 10, a PC, a portable terminal, etc.) to at least one data storage server among the plurality of data storage servers 40 to 44. Upload one or more files in advance. In case A of FIG. 5, the user causes the data storage server 40 to upload one or more JPEG files in advance. In this case, the data storage server 40 stores one or more display JPEG files and one or more print JPEG files using the internal format “baseline JPEG” (see FIG. 2).

The control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 causes the display unit 14 to display a main screen stored in advance in the memory 24 of the multi-function device 10. The main screen includes a plurality of character strings (for example, “Internet”, “Copy”, “FAX”, etc.) indicating a plurality of functions to be selected by the user.
When the user desires to receive the download service from any of the data storage servers 40 to 44, the user selects the character string “Internet” included in the main screen. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits the request R <b> 2 to the mediation server 60.

  When receiving the request R <b> 2 from the multi-function device 10, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 transmits the server list stored in advance in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60 to the multi-function device 10. The server list includes server names “SE40”, “SE42”, and “SE44” of the data storage servers 40 to 44.

  When receiving the server list from the mediation server 60, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 causes the display unit 14 to display the server list. The user operates the operation unit 12 to select the server name of the data storage server from which the multi-function device 10 should receive the download service from the server list. In case A of FIG. 5, the user selects the server name “SE40” (that is, the server name of the data storage server 40). In this case, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits the server name “SE40” to the mediation server 60.

  The first acquisition unit 90 of the mediation server 60 acquires the server name “SE40” by receiving the server name “SE40” from the multi-function device 10. In this case, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 transmits the request R4 to the data storage server 40.

  When the data storage server 40 receives the request R4 from the mediation server 60, the URL of one or more display JPEG files uploaded by the user of the multi-function device 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as “display file URL”). And the file type information indicating the file type “JPEG” of each of the one or more display JPEG files is transmitted to the mediation server 60. In the following, the modification “one or more” is omitted unless it is necessary for the description.

  The second acquisition unit 92 of the mediation server 60 acquires the display file URL and the file type information by receiving the display file URL and the file type information from the data storage server 40. In this case, the determination unit 94 of the mediation server 60 includes the server name “SE40” acquired by the first acquisition unit 90, the file type information “JPEG” acquired by the second acquisition unit 92, and the display JPEG. Based on the fact that the file is used for thumbnail display and referring to the tables 76 and 78, whether or not the display JPEG file has a format that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10 (ie, for display) Judgment is made as to whether data conversion of the JPEG file is necessary.

  In the present embodiment, the determination unit 94 performs the above determination based on the file type information acquired from the mediation server 60. In other words, the determination unit 94 does not perform the above determination based on the display file URL. This is because a file extension (for example, “.jpg”) is not always indicated in the display file URL. Therefore, even when the file extension is not indicated in the display file URL, the determination unit 94 can appropriately execute the above determination.

  First, the determination unit 94 refers to the internal format table 76 to identify “baseline JPEG” associated with “SE40”, “JPEG”, and “thumbnail display”. Next, the determination unit 94 refers to the conversion necessity table 78 and identifies “unnecessary” associated with the identified “baseline JPEG”. Accordingly, the determination unit 94 determines that the display JPEG file has a format that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10 (that is, data conversion of the display JPEG file is unnecessary).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the tables 76 and 78 are stored in the mediation server 60 in advance, and the mediation server 60 refers to the tables 76 and 78 and performs the above determination. Instead, if the tables 76 and 78 are stored in the multi-function device 10 in advance, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 can execute the above determination. However, when such a configuration is adopted, for example, the types of data storage servers and file types increase, or the specifications of the data storage servers 40 to 44 change (for example, what file internal formats the data storage servers 40 to 44 have). If there is an event that causes a change in whether data is stored in the table, the tables 76 and 78 of the multi-function device 10 need to be rewritten. That is, when the above event occurs, the vendor of the multi-function device 10 needs to rewrite tables in all the multi-function devices that are the same model as the multi-function device 10. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, even if the above event occurs, the tables 76 and 78 in the mediation server 60 can be rewritten without changing the multi-function device 10. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily follow the above event.

  When the determination unit 94 determines that data conversion is unnecessary, the output process execution unit 98 of the mediation server 60 sends the display file URL and file type information acquired by the second acquisition unit 92 to the multi-function device 10. Send. At this time, the output process execution unit 98 does not transmit the information indicating the conversion method, the URL of the conversion server, or the like to the multi-function device 10.

  The control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 receives the display file URL and file type information from the mediation server 60. At this time, the control unit 20 does not receive the information indicating the conversion method and the URL of the conversion server from the mediation server 60. In this case, the control unit 20 sends an acquisition request for the display file stored at the position specified by the display file URL without using the mediation server 60 based on the display file URL to the data storage server 40. Send to. The display file acquisition request includes the display file URL.

When the data storage server 40 receives a display file acquisition request from the multi-function device 10,
The display JPEG file stored at the position specified by the display file URL is transmitted to the multi-function device 10 without going through the mediation server 60.

  When the display unit JPEG file is received (ie, downloaded) from the data storage server 40, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 causes the display unit 14 to display an image (that is, a thumbnail) represented by the display JPEG file. Thereby, one or more thumbnails are displayed on the display unit 14. That is, in the case A of FIG. 5, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 can display one or more thumbnails on the display unit 14 without causing the conversion servers 100, 102, and 104 to perform data conversion. it can. The user operates the operation unit 12 to select a target thumbnail representing an image to be printed by the multi-function device 10 from one or more thumbnails. When the target thumbnail is selected by the user, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits a selection command to the mediation server 60. The selection command includes an image ID corresponding to the target thumbnail.

  When receiving the selection command from the multi-function device 10, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 transmits a request R6 to the data storage server 40. The request R6 includes the same image ID as the image ID included in the selection command.

  When the data storage server 40 receives the request R6 from the mediation server 60, the URL of the print JPEG file corresponding to the image ID included in the request R6 (that is, the print JPEG file corresponding to the target thumbnail) (hereinafter, simple). And the file type information indicating the file type “JPEG” of the print JPEG file is transmitted to the mediation server 60.

  The second acquisition unit 92 of the mediation server 60 acquires the print file URL and the file type information by receiving the print file URL and the file type information from the data storage server 40. In this case, the determination unit 94 of the mediation server 60 is based on the acquired server name “SE40”, the acquired file type information “JPEG”, and the fact that the print JPEG file is used for printing. Referring to the tables 76 and 78, it is determined whether or not the print JPEG file has a format that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10 (that is, whether or not data conversion of the print JPEG file is necessary). To do.

  The specific determination method is the same as the determination regarding the display JPEG file. Therefore, the determination unit 94 determines that the print JPEG file has a format that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10 (that is, data conversion of the print JPEG file is unnecessary). In this case, the output process execution unit 98 of the mediation server 60 transmits the acquired print file URL and the acquired file type information to the multi-function device 10. At this time, the output process execution unit 98 does not transmit the information indicating the conversion method, the URL of the conversion server, or the like to the multi-function device 10.

  The control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 receives the print file URL and file type information from the mediation server 60. At this time, the control unit 20 does not receive the information indicating the conversion method and the URL of the conversion server from the mediation server 60. In this case, based on the print file URL, the control unit 20 sends an acquisition request for the print file stored at the position specified by the print file URL without using the mediation server 60 to the data storage server 40. Send to. The print file acquisition request includes the print file URL.

  When the data storage server 40 receives the print file acquisition request from the multi-function device 10, the data storage server 40 stores the print JPEG file stored at the location specified by the print file URL without using the mediation server 60. Transmit to the functional unit 10.

  When the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 receives (that is, downloads) the printing JPEG file from the data storage server 40, the control unit 20 causes the printing unit 18 to print the image represented by the printing JPEG file. Thereby, the user can acquire printed printing paper.

(Case B; FIG. 6)
In case B of FIG. 6, the user causes the data storage server 42 to upload a JPEG file in advance. In this case, the data storage server 42 uses the internal format “progressive JPEG” (see FIG. 2) to store the display JPEG file and the print JPEG file.

  In the case B of FIG. 6, the request R <b> 2 and the server list are communicated between the multi-function device 10 and the mediation server 60 as in the case A of FIG. 5. The user selects the server name “SE42” (that is, the server name of the data storage server 42) from the server list. In this case, the control unit 20 of the multi-function peripheral 10 transmits the server name “SE42” to the mediation server 60.

  The first acquisition unit 90 of the mediation server 60 acquires the server name “SE42” from the multi-function device 10. In this case, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 transmits the request R4 to the data storage server 42. As a result, as in the case A of FIG. 5, the second acquisition unit 92 of the mediation server 60 acquires the display file URL and the file type information “JPEG” from the data storage server 42.

  Next, the determination unit 94 of the mediation server 60 refers to the tables 76 and 78 to determine whether data conversion is necessary. The determination unit 94 refers to the internal format table 76 and identifies “progressive JPEG” associated with “SE42”, “JPEG”, and “thumbnail display”. Next, the determination unit 94 refers to the conversion necessity table 78 and identifies “necessary” associated with the identified “progressive JPEG”. Accordingly, the determination unit 94 determines that the display JPEG file does not have a format that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10 (that is, data conversion of the display JPEG file is necessary).

  Next, the conversion processing execution unit 96 of the mediation server 60 refers to the conversion necessity table 78 to change the conversion methods “data acquisition → conversion instruction” and “progressive JPEG” associated with “progressive JPEG”. The associated conversion server URL “J100” is specified. Then, the conversion process execution unit 96 transmits the display file URL, the file type information “JPEG”, the conversion method “data acquisition → conversion instruction”, and the conversion server URL “J100” to the multi-function device 10.

  The control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 receives the above information from the mediation server 60. In this case, since the conversion method and the conversion server URL are acquired, the control unit 20 can know that it is necessary to cause the JPEG conversion server 100 to perform data conversion. In particular, the control unit 20 can know that the multi-function device 10 should acquire the display JPEG file from the data storage server 42 because the conversion method indicates “data acquisition → conversion instruction”. In this case, based on the display file URL, the control unit 20 sends an acquisition request for the display file stored at the position specified by the display file URL without using the mediation server 60 to the data storage server 42. Send to. As a result, the control unit 20 receives (that is, downloads) the display JPEG file from the data storage server 42. Next, based on the conversion server URL “J100”, the control unit 20 transmits a conversion instruction including a display JPEG file to the JPEG conversion server 100.

  When receiving the conversion instruction from the multi-function device 10, the JPEG conversion server 100 converts the display JPEG file included in the conversion instruction. More specifically, the JPEG conversion server 100 converts a converted file having the above-described target format (ie, a format that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10) from a display JPEG file having the internal format “progressive JPEG”. Generate. The JPEG conversion server 100 transmits the converted file to the multi-function device 10.

  When receiving the converted file from the JPEG conversion server 100, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 causes the display unit 14 to display an image (that is, a thumbnail) represented by the converted file. Thereby, one or more thumbnails are displayed on the display unit 14. When the target thumbnail is selected by the user, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits a selection command to the mediation server 60. The subsequent processes are the same as the processes described above except that a print file is used instead of a display file.

(Case C; FIG. 7)
In case C of FIG. 7, the user causes the data storage server 42 to upload a GIF file in advance. In this case, the data storage server 42 stores the display GIF file and the print GIF file using the internal format “interlaced GIF” (see FIG. 2).

  Each process in case C in FIG. 7 is basically the same as each process in case B in FIG. However, the determination unit 94 of the mediation server 60 refers to the internal format table 76 and the conversion necessity table 78 based on “SE42”, “GIF”, and “thumbnail display” and determines that data conversion is necessary. to decide. In this case, the conversion process execution unit 96 of the mediation server 60 sends the display file URL, file type information “GIF”, conversion method “conversion instruction”, and conversion server URL “G102” to the multi-function device 10. To do.

  The control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 acquires the GIF file for display from the data storage server 42 without using the multi-function device 10 because the conversion method indicates “conversion instruction”. It is possible to know that it is possible (that is, it is possible to know that the multi-function device 10 does not need to acquire the display GIF file from the data storage server 42). In this case, the control unit 20 transmits a conversion instruction including the display file URL to the GIF conversion server 102 based on the conversion server URL “G102”.

  When receiving the conversion instruction from the multi-function device 10, the GIF conversion server 102 acquires the display file stored at the position specified by the display file URL based on the display file URL included in the conversion instruction. The request is transmitted to the data storage server 42. Accordingly, the GIF conversion server 102 acquires the display GIF file from the data storage server 42 without using the multi-function device 10. Next, the GIF conversion server 102 generates a converted file having the above target format from the display GIF file having the internal format “interlaced GIF”. The GIF conversion server 102 transmits the converted file to the multi-function device 10. As a result, one or more thumbnails are displayed on the multi-function device 10. The subsequent processes are the same as the processes described above except that a print file is used instead of a display file.

Although the sequence diagram is omitted, the data storage server 44 stores a display JPEG file having the internal format “progressive JPEG” and a print JPEG file having the internal format “baseline JPEG”. In this case, the mediation server 60 determines that data conversion is necessary for the display JPEG file stored in the data storage server 44. For this reason, as in Case B of FIG.
The data conversion of the EG file is executed by the JPEG conversion server 100. On the other hand, the mediation server 60 determines that data conversion is not necessary for the print JPEG file stored in the data storage server 44. Therefore, as in the case A of FIG. 5, the multi-function device 10 does not cause the JPEG conversion server 100 to perform data conversion of the print JPEG file.

(Case D; FIG. 8)
In case D of FIG. 8, the user causes the data storage server 42 to upload a PDF file in advance. In this case, the data storage server 42 stores the display PDF file and the print PDF file. At this time, the data storage server 42 may store a PDF file having any internal format.

  Each process in case D in FIG. 8 is basically the same as each process in cases A to C in FIGS. However, the internal format table 76 and the conversion necessity table 78 do not describe information related to the PDF file. Therefore, the determination unit 94 of the mediation server 60 cannot determine whether data conversion is necessary. In this case, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 transmits the display file URL and the file type information “PDF” to the multi-function device 10. At this time, the control unit 70 does not transmit the conversion method and the conversion server URL to the multi-function device 10. Therefore, the control unit 70 transmits only the display file URL and file type information to the multi-function device 10 as in the case A of FIG.

  In the memory 24 of the multi-function device 10, the URL “P104” of the PDF conversion server 104 is stored in advance. Further, in the memory 24, when the file type information indicates “PDF”, the multi-function device 10 acquires the PDF file from the data storage server 42 and sends a conversion instruction including the PDF file to the PDF conversion server 104. A program for transmission is stored in advance. Accordingly, when receiving the display file URL and the file type information “PDF” from the intermediary server 60, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 sends a display file acquisition request to the data storage server 42 based on the display file URL. To obtain a display PDF file from the data storage server 42.

  Next, the control unit 20 transmits a conversion instruction including a display PDF file to the PDF conversion server 104 using the conversion server URL “P104” stored in advance in the memory 24 as a transmission destination. As a result, the PDF conversion server 104 generates a converted file having the target format from the display PDF file. The PDF conversion server 104 transmits the converted file to the multi-function device 10. As a result, one or more thumbnails are displayed on the multi-function device 10. The subsequent processes are the same as the processes described above except that a print file is used instead of a display file.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
The internal format of the file stored in the data storage server 40, 42, 44 depends on the data storage server 40, 42, 44. For example, the data storage server 40 stores a JPEG file having an internal format “baseline JPEG” that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10. On the other hand, for example, the data storage server 42 stores a JPEG file having an internal format “progressive JPEG” that cannot be interpreted by the multi-function device 10. Even if the mediation server 60 refers to only the file type information “JPEG” acquired from the data storage servers 40 and 42, it cannot grasp what internal format it is, and as a result, the data conversion It is not possible to properly judge necessity. Therefore, in this embodiment, the vendor of the multi-function device 10 stores the tables 76 and 78 in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60 in advance. Thereby, the mediation server 60 can appropriately determine whether or not data conversion is necessary with reference to the tables 76 and 78 based on the server name and the file type information.

  In addition, the data storage server 44 stores a display JPEG file having an internal format “progressive JPEG” that cannot be interpreted by the multi-function device 10 and also stores an internal format “baseline JPEG” that can be interpreted by the multi-function device 10. The print JPEG file is stored. That is, the data storage server 44 stores JPEG files having different internal formats in accordance with the file output method (display or print). Therefore, in this embodiment, the internal format table 76 also describes information related to the output method. Thereby, the mediation server 60 can more appropriately determine the necessity of data conversion based on the output method.

  If it is determined that the data conversion is unnecessary, the mediation server 60 (that is, the output processing execution unit 98) sets the conversion method and the conversion server URL to the multi-function device 10 as shown in Case A of FIG. The file URL and file type information are transmitted to the multi-function device 10 without being transmitted to the multi-function device 10. As a result, the multi-function device 10 displays thumbnails and prints images without causing the conversion servers 100 to 104 to perform data conversion. On the other hand, when it is determined that data conversion is necessary, the mediation server 60 (that is, the conversion process execution unit 96) uses a conversion method and a conversion server URL as shown in Case B of FIG. Transmit to the functional unit 10. Accordingly, the multi-function device 10 causes the JPEG conversion server 100 to execute data conversion, and executes thumbnail display and image printing. That is, in order for the mediation server 60 to perform appropriate processing according to the determination result, the multi-function device 10 can appropriately execute image output.

  Further, the mediation server 60 transmits the conversion method to the multi-function device 10. Therefore, the multi-function device 10 can know whether or not the multi-function device 10 needs to acquire a display (or print) file from the data storage server 40 or the like by referring to the conversion method. it can. For example, in case B of FIG. 6, the multi-function device 10 can acquire a file from the data storage server 42 and transmit a conversion instruction including the file to the JPEG conversion server 100. In the case C of FIG. 7, the multi-function device 10 does not acquire a file from the data storage server 42 and supplies a conversion instruction not including a file (that is, a conversion instruction including a file URL) to the GIF conversion server 102. can do. As a result, the GIF conversion server 102 can acquire a file from the data storage server 42 without using the multi-function device 10. According to the present embodiment, since the mediation server 60 transmits the conversion method to the multi-function device 10, the multi-function device 10 can execute an appropriate process according to the conversion method.

(Correspondence)
The multi-function device 10 and the mediation server 60 are examples of “image output device” and “control device”, respectively. In the case A of FIG. 5, the data storage server 40, the server name “SE40”, and the file type information “JPEG” are “specific data storage server”, “specific server identification information”, and “specific file type information”, respectively. Is an example. In the case B of FIG. 6, the data storage server 42, the server name “SE42”, the file type information “JPEG”, the JPEG conversion server 100, and the conversion server URL “J100” are each “specific data storage server”. , “Specific server identification information”, “specific file type information”, “specific conversion server”, and “specific location information”. In case A of FIG. 5, transmitting the display file URL (or print file URL) and the file type “JPEG” to the multi-function device 10 is an example of “output processing”. In case B of FIG. 6 (or case C of FIG. 7), a display file URL (or print file URL), a file type “JPEG” (or “GIF”), a conversion method, and a conversion server URL are set. Transmission to the multi-function device 10 is an example of “conversion processing”. The conversion method transmitted from the mediation server 60 to the multi-function device 10 in the cases B and C of FIGS. 6 and 7 is an example of “method related information”. The combination of the two tables 76 and 78 in FIGS. 2 and 3 is an example of the “format relation information table”. Further, “conversion necessity” in the conversion necessity table 78 is an example of “format relation information”.

(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the conversion method and conversion server URL are not described in the conversion necessity table 78 (see FIG. 3). A URL table 26 is stored in advance in the memory 24 of the multi-function device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the URL table 26 is a table in which file types, conversion methods, and conversion server URLs are associated with each other.

(Case E; Fig. 9)
In case E of FIG. 9, the user causes the data storage server 42 to upload a JPEG file. Each process in case E in FIG. 9 is basically the same as each process in case B in FIG. However, the conversion process execution unit 96 of the mediation server 60 indicates that the display file URL, the file type information “JPEG”, and the data conversion are necessary when it is determined that the data conversion is necessary. Information (“conversion required” in FIG. 9; hereinafter referred to as “conversion required information”) is transmitted to the multi-function device 10. Unlike the case B in FIG. 6, the conversion processing execution unit 96 does not transmit the conversion method and the conversion server URL to the multi-function device 10.

  The control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 can know that data conversion is necessary by receiving the conversion required information from the mediation server 60. In this case, the control unit 20 specifies the conversion method “data acquisition → conversion instruction” and the conversion server URL “J100” with reference to the URL table 26 of FIG. 4 based on the file type information “JPEG”. As a result, the JPEG conversion server 100 on which data conversion is to be executed is selected. The subsequent processing is the same as in Case B of FIG. In the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Note that the URL table 26 of FIG. 4 is an example of a “position information table”.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. For example, the following modifications are included.

(Modification 1) In each of the above embodiments, the data storage servers 40 and 42 do not change the internal format between the display file and the print file, but the data storage server 44 does not change the display file and the print file. Change the internal format between files. If it is assumed that the latter data storage server does not exist, the output method may not be described in the internal format table 76 (see FIG. 2). Generally speaking, the determination unit may determine based on specific server identification information and specific file type information.

(Modification 2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the conversion servers 100 and 104 cannot obtain a file from the data storage server 40 or the like without going through the multi-function device 10. A file can be acquired from the storage server 40 or the like without using the multi-function device 10. If it is assumed that only the former conversion server exists or only the latter conversion server exists, the conversion method may not be described in the conversion necessity table 78 (see FIG. 3). That is, the conversion process execution unit 96 does not have to transmit the conversion method to the multi-function device 10. Generally speaking, the conversion process execution unit may execute a conversion process (for example, transmission of at least the conversion server URL in the first embodiment, transmission of at least conversion required information in the second embodiment).

(Modification 3) The internal format table 76 (see FIG. 2) and the conversion necessity table 78 (see FIG. 3) may not be divided into two tables, but may be a single table. In this case, the one table may be a table in which at least the server name, the file type, and the necessity of conversion are associated with each other. Even in such a configuration, the determination unit 94 can appropriately determine whether or not data conversion is necessary. In this modification, the necessity of conversion is an example of “format relation information”. In another modification, the one table may be a table in which at least a server name, a file type, and a conversion server URL are associated with each other. In this case, when the data indicating the conversion server URL is described in association with the server name and file type information, the determination unit 94 determines that data conversion is necessary, and includes the server name and file type information. If the data indicating the conversion server URL is not described in association, it may be determined that the data conversion is unnecessary. In the present modification, the conversion server URL is an example of “format relation information”.

(Modification 4) In each of the above embodiments, the determination unit 94 determines whether data conversion is necessary based on file type information obtained separately from the display (or print) file URL from the mediation server 60. to decide. Instead, the determination unit 94 determines whether or not the display (or print) file URL indicates a file extension, and determines that the display (or print) file URL indicates a file extension. In this case, the necessity of data conversion may be determined based on the file extension. In this case, the display (or print) file URL is an example of “specific file type information”.

(Modification 5) “Specific server identification information” does not have to be a server name. For example, an ID for identifying a server, a name of a service provided by the server, an IP address of the server, a MAC address of the server, etc. It may be. Generally speaking, the “specific server identification information” may be information for identifying a specific data storage server.

(Modification 6) “Method-related information” may not be information indicating a conversion method (for example, “data acquisition → conversion instruction”). For example, a flag “1” is set as information indicating “first method”. The flag “0” may be adopted as information indicating the “second method”. Generally speaking, the method-related information may be information related to one of the first method and the second method.

(Modification 7) The “image output device” may not be a multi-function device, but may be a printer, a FAX device, a telephone device, a PC, a portable terminal, or the like. In addition, the “image output device” may not include both the display unit and the printing unit, and may include only one of the display unit and the printing unit. Generally speaking, the “image output device” may be any device that outputs (displays, prints, etc.) an image.

(Modification 8) In each of the above embodiments, the mediation server 60 is provided, but a system in which the mediation server 60 is not provided may be configured. In this case, the tables 76 and 78 may be stored in the memory 24 of the multi-function device 10 in advance. Furthermore, the functions of the units 90 to 98 may be realized by the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10. In the present modification, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 is an example of a “control device”.

(Modification 9) In each of the above-described embodiments, the functions of the units 90 to 98 are realized by the CPU 72 of the mediation server 60 executing a process according to software. Instead, at least a part of the functions of the units 90 to 98 may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

2: communication system, 6: Internet, 10: multi-function device, 40-44: data storage server, 60: mediation server, 76: internal format table, 78: conversion necessity table, 100:
JPEG conversion server, 102: GIF conversion server, 104: PDF conversion server

Claims (9)

An image output device capable of communicating with a control device,
An operation unit;
An output section;
When a specific data storage server is selected from a plurality of data storage servers by operating the operation unit, specific server identification information for identifying the specific data storage server is transmitted to the control device. A transmitter to
Conversion process for causing the conversion server to convert the specific data stored in the specific data storage server into post-conversion data when receiving conversion information from the control device after transmitting the specific server identification information And when the conversion information is not received after transmitting the specific server identification information, the determination unit determines that the conversion process should not be executed, and the conversion information is: The first internal format of the specific file type corresponding to the extension of the specific data is information received from the control device when it cannot be interpreted by the image output device, and the first internal format is The determination unit, which is an internal format specified by the control device by the specific server identification information transmitted by the transmission unit and the specific file type,
When it is determined that the conversion process should not be executed, the conversion process is not executed, and when it is determined that the conversion process should be executed, the conversion process is executed. The execution part;
When it is determined that the conversion process should not be executed, the specific image represented by the specific data is output to the output unit, and when it is determined that the conversion process should be executed, the conversion is performed. An output control unit that causes the output unit to output a post-conversion image represented by the post-conversion data converted by the conversion server in accordance with execution of the processing, wherein the post-conversion data has a file type A second internal format that is the same as the specific file type of the specific data and whose internal format is different from the first internal format of the specific file type of the specific data, and is interpreted by the image output device The output controller, which is the second possible internal format;
An image output apparatus comprising: The output unit includes a display unit that displays an image, and a printing unit that executes printing of the image,
In the first internal format, the specific data is either data to be displayed by the display unit or data to be printed by the printing unit by the control device. The image output device according to claim 1, which is specified based on The image output device is communicably connected to the conversion server via the Internet,
The conversion information is server location information specified based on the first internal format, and includes server location information indicating the location of the conversion server on the Internet,
When it is determined that the conversion process should be executed, the conversion process execution unit uses the server location information included in the conversion information to transfer the specific data to the conversion data. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion processing including transmitting a conversion instruction for converting the image into the image is executed. The image output device further includes:
After transmitting the specific server identification information, a receiving unit that receives data position information indicating a position where the specific data is stored in the data storage server from the control device;
An acquisition unit that acquires the specific data from the data storage server using the data position information;
With
The output control unit causes the output unit to output the specific image represented by the specific data acquired by the acquisition unit when it is determined that the conversion process should not be executed. 4. The image processing device according to any one of items 1 to 3.   When it is determined that the conversion process is to be executed, the conversion process execution unit uses the data position information to the conversion server from the specific data storage server without using the image output device. A conversion instruction for acquiring the specific data, and further converting the acquired specific data into the converted data, the conversion instruction including the data position information received by the reception unit, The image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the conversion process including transmission to a server is executed.   The conversion process execution unit, when it is determined that the conversion process should be performed, causes the conversion server to convert the specific data acquired by the acquisition unit into the converted data. The image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the conversion processing includes transmitting the conversion instruction including the specific data acquired by the acquisition unit to the conversion server. The conversion information is related information specified based on the first internal format, and includes first related information indicating that a first conversion instruction not including the specific data is transmitted to the conversion server; The second relation information indicating that the second conversion instruction including the specific data is transmitted to the conversion server,
When it is determined that the conversion process execution unit should execute the conversion process,
When the conversion information includes the first relation information, the conversion server uses the data position information to acquire the specific data from the specific data storage server without using the image output device, and A conversion instruction for converting the acquired specific data into the converted data, the method including transmitting the conversion instruction including the data position information received by the receiving unit to the conversion server Run the conversion process,
A conversion instruction for causing the conversion server to convert the specific data acquired by the acquisition unit into the post-conversion data when the conversion information includes the second relation information; The image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the conversion process including transmitting the conversion instruction including the acquired specific data to the conversion server is executed. The image output device is communicably connected to the conversion server via the Internet,
The image output device further includes a memory for storing a location information table in which a file type and server location information indicating a location on the Internet of a conversion server that converts data having the file type are associated with each other. Prepared,
The conversion information includes specific file type information indicating the specific file type of the specific data,
When it is determined that the conversion process should be executed, the conversion process execution unit is associated with the specific file type indicated by the specific file type information in the position information table stored in the memory. The conversion process including transmitting a conversion instruction for converting the specific data into the converted data is executed to the conversion server using server position information that is stored in the conversion server. Image output device. An image output device capable of communicating with a control device, the image output device comprising an operation unit and an output unit,
When a specific data storage server is selected from a plurality of data storage servers by operating the operation unit, specific server identification information for identifying the specific data storage server is transmitted to the control device. Send processing to
Conversion process for causing the conversion server to convert the specific data stored in the specific data storage server into post-conversion data when receiving conversion information from the control device after transmitting the specific server identification information And when the conversion information is not received after transmitting the specific server identification information, it is determined that the conversion process should not be executed, and the conversion information is: It said first internal format specific file type corresponding to the extension of the specific data is information received from the control device when it is not interpreted by the image output device, the first internal format is by the control device, wherein the specific server identification information transmitted by said transmission process, an Internal format specified from the a particular file type, the determination processing And,
When it is determined that the conversion process should not be executed, the conversion process is not executed, and when it is determined that the conversion process should be executed, the conversion process is executed. Execution process,
When it is determined that the conversion process should not be executed, the specific image represented by the specific data is output to the output unit, and when it is determined that the conversion process should be executed, the conversion is performed. Output control processing for causing the output unit to output a post-conversion image represented by the post-conversion data converted by the conversion server in response to execution of the processing, wherein the post-conversion data has a file type wherein with the same as the particular file type for a specific data, the internal format is the first internal format of the particular file type of the specific data a different second internal format, the image output a second internal format interpretable by the device, said output control process,
A computer program that executes

Images